Episode 56

Not long after the notification appeared, Kim Hyunwoo was able to meet with a middle-aged mage who had come to his office.

“Pleased to meet you, I am Onel, the Light Researcher.”

Kim Hyunwoo nodded as Onel, whose attire alone seemed to declare him a renowned mage, slightly bowed his head.

“Pleased to meet you, Onel. I am Kim Hyunwoo, the Lord of Lartania.”

This brief conversation began with their introductions.

Although it lasted only about five minutes, Kim Hyunwoo was able to easily discern Onel’s personality.

‘Arrogant, with immense pride in his magic.’

Onel possessed exactly the kind of personality Kim Hyunwoo expected of a mage, proud of his magic and somewhat disdainful of those who could not wield it.

He was immensely proud of his magic, and while not overtly, his attitude showed a certain disdain for those unable to use magic.

This was despite the fact that he was in a position to discuss matters of some importance from the perspective of the Mage Tower.

“Ahem… Anyway, the reason I have come such a long way today is because there is a peculiar rumor circulating about the Lartania territory.”

As Onel seemed to conclude the small talk and get to the point, Kim Hyunwoo spoke as if he had been waiting for this.

“If it’s a peculiar rumor, it must naturally be about the Labyrinth.”

“Correct, I’ve heard that in the Labyrinth of Lartania territory, Magic Stones are produced infinitely… Is that true?”

“That’s correct.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, it might be hard to believe since it’s unprecedented, but unlike other territories, monsters are continuously generated in our Lartania territory.”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s nod, Onel glanced at him and spoke.

“May I, perhaps, conduct an investigation?”

“It’s possible to conduct an investigation, but given our current relationship, it’s a bit difficult to accommodate that request.”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s subtle refusal, Onel hmmed thoughtfully for a moment before speaking.

“Indeed, that’s exactly why I’ve come today to discuss this matter. If what the Lord says is true, then the Mage Tower thinks it could be a good partner with Lartania. What do you think?”

“I agree. However, I would like for us to form a closer relationship.”

“…A closer relationship?”

“Yes.”

At the mage’s words, Kim Hyunwoo sighed imperceptibly.

‘This is as I expected.’

Kim Hyunwoo had anticipated that the Mage Tower would seek him out very quickly after opening the Labyrinth city.

Although it did not exist in the game, based on Adria’s words, the Mage Tower was indeed the one from the fantasy world he knew, and he was aware that they always needed a tremendous amount of Magic Stones.

‘The important part starts now.’

Kim Hyunwoo cleared his throat with a cough.

“I would appreciate some support with magic scrolls.”

He made his proposal.

Magic scrolls are literally items made by mages that allow one to use magic at any given moment, encapsulating spells within parchment for single-use.

There are two main features of these magic scrolls: first is their convenience, and the second is their exorbitant cost.

To give an idea, Kim Hyunwoo found that a simple yet quite powerful 1st-circle Fireball scroll costs over ten Gold Coins.

Ten Gold Coins.

This is an absurdly high price for a disposable item, equivalent to the current market price of ten low-grade Magic Stones.

“…You’re asking for support with magic scrolls?”

“Yes, to be more precise, I would like support with Fireball and Binding scrolls, each at about three Gold Coins. Around 500 of each per month would be ideal.”

“…What?”

Onel looked incredulous, seemingly upset by Kim Hyunwoo’s proposal to slash the price of the scrolls by 70%.

However, Kim Hyunwoo continued without pause.

“However, if you agree to this deal, we will supply the Mage Tower with 1,000 low-grade Magic Stones every month.”

“…Huh.”

Onel, looking at Kim Hyunwoo as if he couldn’t believe it, said,

“Are you truly serious? No matter how I think about it, your proposal seems like a loss for us.”

Onel continued,

“The scrolls you’re asking for would cost 10,000 Gold Coins in total. And you want them for 3,000 Gold Coins? And in exchange, supply 1,000 low-grade Magic Stones?”

“Yes.”

“The value of 1,000 low-grade Magic Stones, at best, ranges between 1,000 to 1,200 Gold Coins. The calculation doesn’t go above or below that.”

“That’s correct. Essentially, it costs about one low-grade Magic Stone to make a Fireball or Binding scroll, so it’s practically at cost.”

“Knowing that-”

Seeing Onel’s face grow increasingly irritated, Kim Hyunwoo spoke firmly,

“But, of course, that’s not the only thing I’m proposing.”

“…Not only that?”

“Yes. Haven’t I mentioned it? I wish to establish a close relationship with the Mage Tower. Naturally, what I’ve proposed so far is not enough for a close relationship, nor even for a good partnership.”

Kim Hyunwoo said that, then smiled slyly and continued,

“So, let me add one more thing, we intend to offer you land.”

“…Land, you say?”

Kim Hyunwoo turned his gaze from Onel towards the outside of the Lord’s castle, specifically towards the secondary walls where construction had begun, and spoke,

“As you know, Onel, our Lartania territory will develop further. Where money goes, people follow.”

“So, you’re asking me to see the future value, right?”

“More precisely, the near future. Moreover, the development of Lartania will happen faster than you think.”

“Right now, the rumor hasn’t spread widely, and low-grade Magic Stones are the maximum that can be produced from the Labyrinth. But what if we break through to a new tier and start mining mid-grade Magic Stones?”

“…!”

“As a handler of Magic Stones, you know, Onel, that mid-grade Magic Stones are of a different value altogether. When that time comes, many will strive to form relations with our territory. And at that point-”

Kim Hyunwoo looked at Onel and continued,

“-the land of our territory, which can supply Magic Stones quickly and cheaply, will trade at unimaginably high prices. I plan to offer a modest tax benefit to those who settle in my territory, specifically for Magic Stones.”

After hearing this, Onel pondered for a while before saying,

“First, could you give me some time? I don’t think this is something I can decide on my own.”

He said so,

“Of course, that’s fine.”

Following Kim Hyunwoo’s response, Onel soon left the office.

And then, about two hours later,

“…We will accept your proposal.”

“You’ve made a good decision. Then let’s discuss the details further.”

Kim Hyunwoo smiled.

While Kim Hyunwoo was deep in conversation with the personnel from the Mage Tower,

a short distance from Lartania, yet not far from the territory of Calan Kingdom, a wolf and a half-demon stood facing each other.

“……”

Merilda looked at Rin, who wore an expressionless face, with a slightly mocking expression.

In truth, this meeting occurred because Merilda had sought Rin out.

Rin was simply returning to the Calan Kingdom, and Merilda had followed her.

Of course, there was a specific reason why she had followed Rin.

The reason was that Merilda had not been able to confirm whether the Absolute Ruler of Darkness had accepted her Master or not.

More precisely, she had not been able to grasp what had happened.

All that Merilda had seen was Rin entering the Lartania territory and appearing before her Master.

Merilda had not been able to understand the situation inside, as the rest of the scene was obscured by darkness, perhaps because Rin was aware of her.

Of course, seeing Rin leave Lartania afterward, Merilda instinctively realized that her Master had not accepted Rin, but she wanted to be more certain.

…Even though she had guessed, the anxiety and inferiority growing in Merilda’s heart wanted to confirm it for sure.

Thus, at this moment, Merilda wore a genuinely relieved smile.

Even though they didn’t like each other much, Rin and Merilda had spent several years together.

Thus, with her expression and her immediate actions, Merilda could virtually confirm the situation for sure.

“As expected-”

Rin had not been accepted by the Master.

Realizing that, Merilda’s tail, which had been still from tension, began to subtly move.

At the same time, a smile formed on her lips.

“Ha.”

Seeing this, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, with a scornful expression, looked at Merilda and laughed, saying,

“Finding joy in others’ misfortune, does that beast-like nature of yours ever change?”

“Don’t talk about others. You’re the same. Have you forgotten coming to take my Execution Sword last time? True to your demon hybrid nature, always looking to solve everything through plunder, aren’t you?”

Like breathing, the two naturally started to provoke each other.

“That’s why you were rejected by him!”

“What about you? Besides, unable to contain your anger, you smashed all the gifts given by the Master!”

Gradually increasing the intensity of their words, they continued to speak.

“Even after going to retrieve the Execution Sword, you were rejected.”

“…!”

“Why, you thought I wouldn’t know? Even if you hide in the darkness, I can see when you leave. How shocked you must have been, leaving the Execution Sword behind?”

Merilda smiled provocatively at Rin.

“Eek-!”

Angered, Rin tried to reach into the darkness, but,

“Huh, huhuh… Yes, think as you wish, your words have no impact on me.”

Rin, trying to maintain a facade of unaffected composure despite her expression suggesting otherwise, forced a casual smile and then declared,

“I have personally heard how to be forgiven by him!”

She claimed.

“What…?”

At Merilda’s incredulous question, with her tail even stopping in shock, Rin finally smiled as if she had seized victory and answered,

“Did you not hear? I was told ‘directly’ how to be forgiven by him.”

“That’s absurd…!”

“Do you truly think it’s absurd?”

Seeing Rin speak with newfound ease, Merilda realized it was true and wore a shocked expression.

“So, babble all you want, I have things to do now.”

As Rin looked at her with a triumphant expression, about to turn away,

“Wait, wait! Tell me too!”

At Merilda’s cry, Rin, looking incredulous yet with a relaxed smile,

“Beasts are shameless, aren’t they? Do you really think I’d tell you? Hmm…”

seemed to ponder for a moment, then-

“Well, alright then, if you perform three somersaults right here and now and prostrate yourself before me, allowing me to step on your head, I’ll consider telling you.”

She said this with a smile.

She knew all along.

She had always said that she would rather die than forsake her pride, prioritizing it even over life itself, making it unlikely she would ever comply with such a demand.

However.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

“…?”

Contrary to her expectations, Merilda performed three somersaults right there and then, perfectly prostrating herself before Rin as if depicted in a painting.

“Step on me. As you wish, to your heart’s content,”

she said.

“…??”

Rin wore a bewildered expression.